Honoring Our Heroes
A Tradition of Service, Community, and Respect
Our Chicagoland area triathlon and obstacle course races honor and support Military, Veterans, and First Responders—those who have given their best for our country. For over 40 years, we’ve built strong relationships rooted in dignity, respect, and American values. With a spirit of community and a commitment to continuous improvement, we proudly give back to those who serve.
Honoring Our Heroes
A Tradition of Service, Community, and Respect
Our Chicagoland area triathlon and obstacle course races honor and support Military, Veterans, and First Responders—those who have given their best for our country. For over 40 years, we’ve built strong relationships rooted in dignity, respect, and American values. With a spirit of community and a commitment to continuous improvement, we proudly give back to those who serve.
USA Triathlon Announces 2026 National Championships
USA Triathlon partners with trusted local race directors across the country to host USA Triathlon National Championships, with each event selected by USA Triathlon after a thorough request for proposal, interview, and evaluation process.
USA Triathlon organizes and hosts the annual USA Triathlon Nationals, scheduled for Aug. 7-9 in Milwaukee, which includes the qualification-based Non-Draft Sprint and Olympic Distance National Championships and Paratriathlon National Championships. The event also includes the following event are not qualification based; Open Water Swim Competition, Draft-Legal Sprint Triathlon, and Draft-Legal Mixed Relay Triathlon.
The majority of other USA Triathlon National Championship events do not require qualification for age group athletes.
Information about Age Group Team USA and 2027 World Triathlon Age Group World Championship locations is available on USA Triathlon’s website. Use the links below to learn more.
Commemorating 250 Years
Join us as Leon’s Heroes proudly commemorates 250 years of America with “America’s Race” on June 7, 2026 in the Chicagoland area! From the shores of Lake Michigan to the finish line, we’ll celebrate freedom, unity, and the enduring spirit of our nation in this unforgettable milestone event.
Chicagoland Tri-Series
We’re excited to share that the Chicagoland Tri-Series (CTS) is officially here — the tri-state challenge celebrating the “Best of the Midwest” triathlon experiences!
The Series brings together three incredible races: Leon’s Triathlon (that’s us!), the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon, and the Chicago Triathlon — uniting athletes from across the region in the true spirit of endurance, community, and sportsmanship.
At Leon’s Triathlon, we’re honored to serve as the series opener and the most patriotic race in the country. Each year, our event also hosts the Military & First Responders National Championships, paying tribute to those who serve and protect our nation.
From there, your season continues with the Pleasant Prairie Triathlon and the Chicago Triathlon — two of the Midwest’s most iconic SPRINT and OLYMPIC distance events, where athletes of all ages and abilities can compete for state titles in age group, high school, and club categories.
The goal of the Chicagoland Tri-Series is simple — to motivate, accelerate, and celebrate participation in the sport we love. All three races are proud supporters of adaptive and para-athletes, and together with our friends at Dare2Tri, we remain committed to making triathlon accessible and welcoming for athletes of all abilities.
We invite you to join us — to race, to connect, and to be inspired by the incredible triathlon community that continues to grow stronger every year.
Let’s make 2026 the year you join the “Best of the Midwest.”
Why participate in the Tri-State Chicagoland Tri-Series?
- Get ranked by USA TRIATHLON (USAT) in the NATIONAL RANKINGS when you complete three USAT sanctioned races!
- Support more ADAPTIVE, PARA, MILITARY, and FIRST RESPONDER friendly races!
- Get inspired by the patriotic experience at the MILITARY & FIRST RESPONDERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS at Leon’s Tri!
- Compete in the Wisconsin STATE CHAMPIONSHIP at the Pleasant Prairie Tri!
- Race in one of the WORLD’S LARGEST TRIATHLON events at the Chicago Triathlon!
- Compete for State Championship INDIVIDUAL AGE-GROUP, HIGH SCHOOL, and CLUB TEAM titles!
- Qualify for the USAT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS and compete for a spot on the TEAM USA age group team to race in the patriotic “stars & stripes” uniform at a World Championships!
- Earn a special Stuff We All Get (SWAG) item for completing the series! (SWAG announcement coming soon!)
- Enjoy a unique tri-series finish line experience at the Chicago Triathlon with the race directors from all three events as you earn your prize to celebrate your summer racing season!
For more info on USAT membership, visit: https://www.usatriathlon.org/membership
For more info on USAT rankings, visit: https://www.usatriathlon.org/rankings
HOW TO COMPLETE THE CHICAGOLAND TRI-SERIES CHALLENGE
Join the Dare2tri Chicagoland Tri-Series Race2Raise team to fundraise and receive complimentary entries into all three races.
– OR –
Register for all THREE RACES individually (any distance will qualify for series swag!)
Para Nationals Qualifier Series Race Description and Racing Categories:
Athletes wishing to compete in the USA Para Nationals Qualifier Race Series must have a USA Triathlon National Classification or a World Triathlon Classification of a “C” or “R” or “P” and be 16 years of age or older as of December 31, 2025. These athletes should register for the races in their respective Sport Classes: PTWC 1-2, PTS 2-5, or PTVI 1-3. If you are not yet classified, you may compete in the sport class that you expect to be classified.
- PTWC 1-2: athletes with limitations in lower (PTWC2) and upper body (PTWC1), using a handcycle for the cycling segment and a racing chair for the running segment.
- PTS 2-5: athletes with limitations in lower and/or upper limbs (lower class number means there are more limitations) who compete in (regular) cycling and running. Assistive devices such as prosthetic legs and/or bike modifications can be used.
- PTVI 1-3: athletes with vision impairment, subdivided in three classes by severity of vision loss (visual acuity and/or visual field).
ATD1 (formerly PC Open) Race Category Descriptions:
ATD1 athletes are also welcome to race these races. ATD1 (formerly PC Open) athletes are paratriathletes who are not able to be classified or choose to use equipment that doesn’t follow Paratriathlon Competition Rules. ATD1 athletes are not eligible for Series awards, however, will be recognized in the ATD1 Series Standings.
ATD1 athletes should register for the ATD1 Category that best fits:
- ATD1 Wheelchair
- ATD1 Ambulatory
- ATD1 Visually Impaired.
Guides
PTVI and ATD1 Visually Impaired athletes must race the entire race with the same GUIDE. Guides always register for free. To register the Guide for free, please use coupon code 25GUIDE (case-sensitive).
NOTE: If you are not classified, register for the ATD1 Division or you may race in your provisional category until you become classified at Nationals if you send your MDF to USAT at paratriathlon@usatriathlon.org and to Auburn Bosworth at auburn.bosworth@usatriathlon.org.
Latest News
Stay in the loop with the latest in Chicagoland area triathlons and more! From race results and athlete highlights to community events and inspiring stories, our news section keeps you informed and inspired.
Read The Latest News
2025 Triathlon Highlight Video
Our Partners, Sponsors & Friends
Leon’s Heroes
Leon’s Heroes is an organization that is a branch of Leon’s Triathlon. Leon’s Heroes aims to promote patriotism and honor the U.S. Military, Veterans, First Responders and Law Enforcement.
Leon’s Heroes are the men and women who put their lives on the line to defend our nation and constitution. We aim to create a feel of patriotism anywhere we go.
